Overview
Pharmacology at Lancaster University will provide you with a deep understanding of how drugs interact with living systems and affect our bodies – something crucial to health in our society. In addition to studying drug development, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, and potential side effects, you'll also gain insight into the wider societal and regulatory context in which drugs are used and new drugs are developed.
The MSci is a four-year integrated master’s with three years of undergraduate study followed by a year of study at master’s level. The additional year of study and higher qualification can enhance your job prospects, or give you the experience to decide whether a research career might be for you.
Taught as part of the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, where Biomedical Sciences was ranked 1st in the UK for satisfaction with teaching and 2nd in the UK for graduate prospects, by The Guardian University Guide 2024, you’ll be joining the best in the field.
In your first year, you will gain a through grounding in the biomedical basis of pharmacology through the study of 15 wide-ranging core modules, including Introduction to Pharmacology, Drug Discovery and Development, and Protein Biochemistry.
In your second year, you will study core theory modules such as Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Genetics. These are complemented by skills-based modules that give you an understanding of the experimental techniques used in modern pharmacological research.
In addition to core modules such as Neuropharmacology and Advanced Drug Design and Development, third year provides you with the opportunity to tailor your module choices to your own interests. Optional modules include Clinical Immunology, and Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology.
In fourth year, you'll have the opportunity to further focus your studies, choosing from advanced modules that cover cutting edge developments in fields such as cancer, immunology and neuroscience.
You'll also undertake an extended research project, working as part of the team in one of our research laboratories. This gives you the opportunity to put what you've learned into practice, while benefiting from the research experience of our internationally renowned academics. Their work is helping to tackle globally important healthcare challenges such as infection, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and inflammatory conditions like asthma and psoriasis.
The pharmacology facilities at Lancaster are excellent. Our state-of-the-art life science teaching laboratories provide you with the ideal environment in which to develop your practical skills. Here, you’ll get hands-on experience of using equipment like microscopes, plate readers and PCR machines, to gain the skills needed for a successful laboratory career.
Careers
Career destinations for pharmacology graduates include employment in research or research management in the academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Beyond research, other potential career paths you might follow include manufacturing or commercial roles in the pharmaceutical industry, working in scientific communication and publishing, science policy, as well as roles in monitoring and licencing of medicines and regulatory affairs.
Pharmacology graduates may also undertake further vocational study to enable careers in areas as diverse as teaching or patent law. The additional research experience gained through the extended project undertaken in the fourth year of study is good preparation for undertaking a postgraduate research degree.
The broader employability skills acquired while studying for a degree in pharmacology would also provide you with a solid basis for graduate-level employment outside the field of pharmacology, for example in the financial or management sectors.
Entry requirements
Grade Requirements
A Level AAA
Required Subjects A level Chemistry and one other science subject from Biology, Mathematics or Physics
GCSE Mathematics grade B or 5, English Language grade C or 4
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
Other Qualifications
International Baccalaureate 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including 6 in HL Chemistry and 6 in one further HL science subjects from Biology, Mathematics or Physics
BTEC considered alongside A level Chemistry for entry to the standard BSc Hons course variant only. Subject to academic progression and availability students can transfer to the MSci Hons course.
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
International foundation programmes
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
Contextual Offers
Our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of applicants whose personal circumstances may have impacted their exam results.
Contextual offersCourse structure
Detailed module information for this undergraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.
Fees and funding
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2025/26 entry fees have not yet been set.
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Additional costs
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
Study abroad courses
In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.
Placement and industry year courses
In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.
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What is my fee status?
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
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Fees in subsequent years
Fees are set by the UK Government annually, and subsequent years' fees may be subject to increases. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
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Fees for study abroad and work placements
We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:
- Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee
- Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee
International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will be charged the same percentages as the standard International fee.
Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.
Scholarships and bursaries
Details of our scholarships and bursaries for students starting in 2025 are not yet available. You can use our scholarships for 2024-entry applicants as guidance.
Important information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
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